This section is designed to provide basic information and address some common questions. Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Accessible Education with questions or concerns at any point in time.

What is a reasonable accommodation?

Accommodations exist to remove barriers and ensure equal access for students with disabilities. When a barrier exists, for example in course design or the built environment, modifications or adjustments to a course, program, or activity must be made to ensure an equitable experience for all students.

An accommodation is generally considered reasonable if it: does not alter the essential elements of a course, curriculum, or program; would not result in an undue burden for the college; and does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of the student or others.

How are accommodations approved?

Students must make all formal accommodation requests through the Office of Accessible Education and follow a consistent procedure. Students meet with the Director of Accessible Education to discuss their disability, experienced or anticipated barriers, any past use of accommodations, and current accommodation requests. Information provided by the student is generally reviewed in conjunction with disability-related documentation and requests are considered in the context of what is reasonable based on the essential program or course requirements. All accommodation requests are reviewed on an individual and case-by-case basis. Some accommodations may be approved on a provisional or semester basis when more information is needed or if a disability is temporary or may change over time.

The procedure for requesting services and information on documentation guidelines can be found on our website.

How are instructors notified about approved accommodations?

Instructors will receive a Letter of Accommodations by email with the student copied. The letter will verify that the student is registered with the Office of Accessible Education and outline accommodations for which they are approved. Accommodations may be approved at any point in the semester, however they are not retroactive.

I received a letter of accommodations outside of the first couple of weeks of class. Why did this happen and what are my responsibilities?

There may be a few reasons that your student is sharing their accommodation letter with you later in the semester. It is important to know that the Office of Accessible Education works with students year round, and that there is not a specific deadline to apply for accommodations. Some students enter into Bates having had accommodations in the past, but don’t initially request them at the college level, while other students may be either experiencing new barriers, or being affected by a temporary condition. For whatever reason, students may confirm accommodations and initiate the notification process at any time during the year. For Faculty, it is important to provide these accommodations once you have been notified. However, no accommodation is offered retroactively, which means that a student who is approved for testing accommodations can only receive them on future exams.

What if a student asks me for an accommodation but I have not received a Letter of Accommodations?

While it may seem compassionate to grant an informal accommodation, doing so outside of the official Accommodation process can create an unfair environment and also create potential liability for the professor and college. All students who are requesting accommodations for a course should have an official letter of accommodations, as this document confirms that the legal process for accommodations has been followed. 

If a student has requested an accommodation that they currently don’t have a letter for, please encourage them to connect with Accessible Education to make a formal accommodation request. This will help ensure that all students go through the same process, that there is consistency across courses and instructors, and that the student is aware of related resources. 

In the event that a student with accommodations, from whom you’ve received their letter of accommodations, is asking for something that doesn’t seem to be listed (i.e., a student with extended time on tests is asking for extended time on a take home writing assignment), faculty are always able to reach out to the Office of Accessible Education to confirm that accommodations are being properly and consistently applied.

What if I believe an approved accommodation fundamentally alters the nature of my course?

Please contact the Office of Accessible Education if you have concerns about an accommodation. You are the expert in your course and learning objectives, and we may need to collaborate with you in an analysis of whether or not an accommodation would compromise essential requirements.

What should I do if I am concerned about a student and suspect they may have a disability?

As you would with any student who is struggling, explore with the student if there are any ways or resources that may help to support them. A student may disclose a disability to you, in which case it would be appropriate to encourage them to access services through the Office of Accessible Education. Legally, you cannot ask a student if they have a disability. However, you may explore available support options including Accessible Education, the Student Academic Support Center, and Health Services, for example, as you would with any student.